But Magdalen didnt agree. 'We dont know what will happen up there. Its possible we may have to shift to survive. I wont risk more than I need.

'Fifteen Feohte against squadrons of politics... Janne trailed off and crossed her arms.

'We arent seeking conflict, Janne. Simply shielding. We have one ambition only, to close the shift sphere.

Janne narrowed her eyes. 'That is what Im talking about.

Ling-Mas craft would be luxurious as the ship, the Last Aesthetic, which theyd taken from Rho Junction to Edo station, though Thales could only recall the cabin Tekton had rented for them, having been too sick to venture out into the ship.

He ran his fingers over the roughened texture of his cheek. The scars had finally healed thanks to the biozoon, but they would never fade, and nor would his bitter memories of Lasper Farr. The hero of the Stain Wars was a terrifying and immoral man who wielded too much power.

After they boarded Thales lay for a while in one of Ling-Mas guest cabins, but was roused by Farris what seemed to him almost immediately after hed fallen asleep.

'Nope, its been hours, Fariss told him. 'Well be docking at Scolar station soon.

Thales stretched and sat up. 'What have you been doing?

'Gettin acquainted with Janne and the Feohte. She grinned.

Fariss was happy. Things were happening. How could she ever be that way with him, living an ordinary life on Scolar? If they succeeded in closing the shift sphere, thats what she would face.

'You know, when we shut the sphere youll be trapped here, he said.

Her smile faded. 'Cant say I like that idea much. But could be its the only way to stay alive. If so, then youre gonna have to keep me entertained.

Her answer was light, but Thales saw the slight tightening of her jaw. Fariss was a free spirit, not a person to be tied to one place. But their choices were limited. The Extros had seen to that.

'Ill do everything I can, he promised.

'Make sure of it. She leaned over and kissed him deeply, stirring his desire.

He washed, then followed her out of the cabin to the low-lit lounge area. Janne and half the Feohte were there with Magdalen and Linnea. All of them were watching a map in the centre of the room.

Linnea glanced across at them and pointed at the diagram. 'This is the area around station Shift Command, where the res-shift controls are. Therere two ways in-either through the front door, or by busting a hole through from the information node which backs on to it. IN is the best option, in my opinion. Other than the technicians, theres usually only a small entry guard. Whereas Shift Commands got a series of checkpoints.

'Weve brought cutting tools, said Janne. 'Are the walls t.i.tanium?

The galley supervisor and former IN tech nodded. 'Behind the actual node is steel. The outer walls are t.i.tanium, 'Ling-Ma will stay with her craft, said Magdalen. 'Linnea will lead us to the IN.

'And then? asked Janne.

'Then I call the tune, said Fariss.

Thales held his breath, waiting for objections. But no one spoke, not even Janne. Strangely, the Feohte leader seemed satisfied. As they all did.

At some point in the short time theyd been together, an implicit agreement had been reached among the Swestr. Fariss knew danger better than anyone.

BALBAO.

'Were station side, said Jelly Hob. 'Cn feel it.

Balbao roused from his doze and sat up. He sensed nothing different to the previous days theyd spent in their prison. 'How can you tell?

'Cn hear it, said Hob.

The others joined them in paying attention. The old woman, Samuelle, nodded her head. 'Yeah. Youre right. They havent vacced us yet, Jeremiah. So now what?

Balbao was wondering the same. Days had pa.s.sed with no contact from Farr, or anyone save the guards. Ra had not returned, which, though a relief in some ways, had made him speculate over what had befallen the arrogant G.o.dhead. Was Ra a.s.sisting Farr is some way? Or was he dead? Somehow, he felt it might be the former.

'That would be Scolar res station? asked Lawmon Jise.

He and Miranda Seeward had spent much of the time over the last few days huddled together, whispering and petting. Their fellow prisoners had tried ignoring them, but the pair seemed almost childishly unaware, or uncaring, of their exhibitionism.

'Less Lasper decided something else, Id say so, said Sammy. 'You know, the Swestr are strong here, she added under her breath to Jelly Hob.

Balbao wanted to ask her what Swestr were, but Connit jumped up off his bunk and smacked the wall.

'Why did he come here? Its suicidal!

Commander Farrs son appeared to have inherited none of his fathers unnatural calm. In fact, Balbao was starting to fear for the young 'esques sanity. In sleep, Connit had moaned and ground his teeth, and during waking moments he was singularly withdrawn.

His dour mood infected them all, and they fell glumly silent in the wake of his statement.

Even later, when they ate together, conversation didnt improve, and Balbao went to sleep feeling disconsolate and helpless.

He was woken by a hand across his mouth and a warning in his ear. 'Its Sammy. We wanna talk to you, nice and quiet now, over at our bunk.

Balbao fought his instinct to swing at the person whod brought him abruptly from sleep, and nodded.

She took her hand away and disappeared back across the dark cell.

Balbao gave himself a few moments to wake before sitting up. Jise, Miranda and Connit all appeared to be asleep. He trod carefully over to Sammy and Hobs section of the prison cell.

Sammy reached out and pulled him down onto the bunk between them. The two old 'esques crowded uncomfortably close, their faces almost touching his.

'Were thinkin they might come for you soon, she whispered. 'Were thinkin that Lasper werent out looking for his son near Mintaka; he was wantin to find that Lostol fella.

'Ra? whispered back Balbao.

Hob took up the thread. 'Yeah. See, Tekkie stole his future predictin device. We thinkin mebbe he wants Ra to build him another one. Thats why were here.

Balbao let Hobs theory sink in. 'Lasper wants to recreate the device here?

'Well, somethin. Scolar stations got an information node. Probably the only one left, now everyone elses closed their spheres or been wiped out, said Sammy. 'Laspers no fool. He wouldnt be riskin comin here for no good reason.

Balbao waited, still not sure what they wanted.

'Were thinkin scientists like you might be thin on the ground on Scolar. Were thinkin Lasper might need you, so you gettin out of here might be our only chance.

'Only chance to do what?

'To get rid of Lasper Farr. Consilience needs a new leader, someone who aint crazy. And shes here, aboard this ship. Names Bethany Ionil-Laspers sister. We want you to get a message to an 'esque named Petalu Mau. Tell him Sammy said, "Nows the time." Thats all you gotta do.

'"Nows the time"? What does that mean?

'That means Bethanys supporters take over the ship; we get outta here and away from Scolar. You and the others go where you want. Thats gotta be better than sitting in this cell waiting for the Extros to come.

Balbaos frill stiffened. A mutiny.

Hed been an academic for his entire adult life, but at the mention of a revolt his carefully constructed civility began to peel away. He would die here soon if he didnt grasp the opportunity. Though he had no way of knowing the full implications of Sammys plan, or even if what she sought would be better or worse for them all, he did know he had no wish to remain Lasper Farrs prisoner.

'How will I find this Petalu Mau?

'h.e.l.l be with Lasper, bein his bodyguard. Big, wide teranu who likes to eat. Cant mistake him. No one else looks like him.

'Farrs bodyguard?

'Bethanys as well. Beth treats him a lot better.

'But what about Farrs soldiers?

'We been laying the groundwork for years. Wont take more than a word and a show of strength; most of them will come over. They aint loyal to Lasper. They just get paid.

The idea of treachery made Balbaos thick skin sting. Farr would be betrayed by his personal bodyguard and his own soldiers. What did that say for these two old fiends? Should he trust them at all? 'You think theyll come for me?

'Mebbe. Mebbe not, said Hob. 'Sure as h.e.l.l they wont come for us, 'cept to spit us into the black.

'What about the others? They all have their expertise. It might be one of them. Labile is a geneer.

'You said you was chief scientist?

Balbao nodded.

Sammy gave a quiet, satisfied grunt. 'h.e.l.l need you.

TRIN.

Trin watched the mercenary closely. Two, nearly three days had pa.s.sed since one of the arrivals had stolen the AiV in which theyd come. Randall had been fit to murder when shed seen Rasterovich go, swearing all kinds of revenge.

Trin told Juno and Tivi to watch her too. He sensed her volatility and suspected that only the solemnity of the burial they gave Ca.s.s Mulraveys child kept her anger from spilling out. Respect for the dead. And the mother.

Mulravey herself seemed broken. Though she still fed and tended to Vito, the child Mira Fedor had left behind, her manner was reflexive. Her physical body had become a sh.e.l.l that housed no spirit.

Trin almost missed the antagonist hed become accustomed to fending off. Despite her disruptive manner, Mulravey had been a clear and quick thinker, a person worthy of notice. Trin felt the need for good opinions.

Innis had disappeared again. His woman, Liesl, was feeding him, slipping extra food in her robe and stealing away in the darkness to meet him. Trin thought to send Tivi and Juno after her, to bring Innis to account, but for now he needed them close by, watching Randall and her man Catchut.

He didnt think that the survivors could tolerate a sentencing at this moment. The group had come so close to splitting. Only the arrival of the strangers had halted that, yet still he felt it could happen at any time, with Innis hiding and Liesl agitating the others.

'Principe, food is prepared, Djes called out to him.

Trin turned back from where he stood at the edge of their camp, staring at the bright objects in the night sky, and walked back to the dinner circle.

Spirits were low; he saw it in the dispirited postures and lack of conversation. Randall and Catchut sat apart from the rest, with Kristo.

Despite Djess catch of ba.s.s and squid, and the sweet paste that Tina Galiotto had made from berries and water, Trin felt as despondent as the rest.

The arrival of the AiV had resurrected thoughts of rescue in all of them, and now its loss and the accidental death of Mulraveys boy deepened their collective misery. For the first time since theyd begun their flight through the Pablo tunnels, Trin had nothing to give them. No hope. No direction.

He sat next to Djes and ate in silence. What would become of them? Would they gradually kill each other off with surprise attacks, such as the one Innis had attempted? Or would they simply die of disease when their Health Watch ran out? And what about Djes? Did she prefer Joe Scalis company to his?

The howling noise in the distance took some time to register in his consciousness, so deep was he in despair.

Djes nudged him. 'Trinder? Whats that?

He stood up. From the east came the sound of rushing wind.

Other heads lifted; bodies stiffened.

Trin craned his neck skyward, searching for the source. Fear spiked through him. 'Take cover!

The survivors picked up their food sh.e.l.ls and hastened to their caves, staying close to the mouths so they could still see out.

'There! Joe Scali pointed east, just above the tree-line.

Trin saw the shadows in the sky, like giant moths given dim outline by Tieshas glow and the backdrop carpet of satellites.

'AiVs, said someone.

'No! Randall laughed and walked out into the open. Trin couldnt see her face, but her voice was filled with sudden energy. 'Biozoons. Crux-d.a.m.ned biozoons.

The shadows pa.s.sed over the mountain crest and swept on out to sea.

'Theyve missed us! Josefia Genarro exclaimed.

Others joined in her cry of disappointment.

'No. Randall again. This time she turned and walked straight back up to Trin. 'Theyll have to land down on the beach, in the water. You got someone who can show me the quickest way down?

Trin hesitated. 'Who would be in the biozoons? Why would they come here?

'Not sure who the second is, but one of thems got to be Fedor. We picked up a 'cast back on Pell, her 'zoons signature from orbit. Not sure how the h.e.l.l she made it down here without getting banged up, but I warrant its her, and that shes come for us.